Maputo, Jun 22 (IANS): Wild animals such as crocodiles, elephants and lions have killed at least 17 people in a Mozambican province this year, according to Radio Mozambique.

Over 40 people were killed by crocodiles on the Zambezi river and its tributaries as well as by elephants in the forests and farms last year, authorities reported.

The deaths have scared many people who are afraid to carry out agricultural activities in the province, Xinhua reported.

The killings are a result of human-animal conflict, say authorities in this southeastern African nation.

To prevent and reduce the killings, the authorities have launched a drive to collect crocodile eggs along the Zambezi river banks and its tributaries in central Mozambique.

Similar situation has prevailed in other provinces. Many people were also alllegedly killed by wild animals in the country's northeren provinces of Cabo Delgado and Niassa as well as in the central province of Manica.

Worried over the situation, the Mozambican authorities are now training hunters to kill wild animals.